Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Snap Cases & Thread Organization

My friend gave me one of those plastic, stacking snap cases and now I'm obsessed with them!  She picked it up at Michael's and I've also found them at the container/organizer store.  I think I have about 4 or 5 of them so far, in varying sizes.  They are perfect for scrapbooking supplies (like hard-to-store paper ribbons and embellishments) and I love them for my sewing supplies!

I've got them organized based on the items they hold: one for all the feet and accessories for each sewing machine; one for fabric cutting items (scissors, rotary cutter, extra blades); one for quilt marking tools (Hera, markers, pencils, chalks); one for threads and bobbins; one for measuring tools; one for needles & pins, etc.  I love how they have several sections with different depths.  Thanks for the gift and idea, Kathleen!

Another great idea, which I got from a quilt magazine, is to store spools of used thread with their matching filled bobbins in tiny zippered plastic bags.  I picked up the bags at the dollar store and you get about 25 of them!  They are perfect (and cheap!) for keeping my thread organized - so simple!

Finally, I seem to have gathered quite a lot of new thread spools and organizing them can be a challenge as they multiply!  I started with some small Gutermann cases but quickly outgrew them (plus I am using larger spools now).  So then I moved to the plastic drawer system and it's ok for now (I'll probably outgrow that too!).  I like keeping the thread covered up so it doesn't get dusty but want to be able to see what I have at a glance.  I've organized the drawers based on type of thread and love being able to choose from all the great colours!  I stack the other containers on top to save counter space!

 

Quilt Ruler Storage

I have accumulated a rather large collection of quilt rulers.  I used to store them with my cutting mat, sitting on top of my rolling island tucked underneath my craft counter, but it started to become a pain to move them every time I wanted to either get my cutting mat or use the island surface for scrapbooking.

The logical storage solution was to hang up the rulers but since I don't have any real wall space for these very large rulers, and they are not the most attractive items to display, I had a great idea to use the sides of my island.

I bought some 3M Command hooks which would accommodate the hole in the rulers and could be removed without damaging the surface.  I adhered them to each side of my island, as well as on the inside wall of my cabinet below my work station.  I followed the application directions, making sure to wait the hour before adding the rulers (even though I was very excited to hang them up!).  I actually even weighed the rulers to make sure I hadn't exceeded the weight limit clearly marked on each package of the various hooks.  My DH suggested that NO ONE but me would actually do that...but really, how can you expect a product to perform properly if you don't follow the directions?

I have to say I am pretty impressed with myself!  Not only are the rulers out of the way yet easily accessible, they are actually better stored hanging from a hook to protect them and avoid warping.  My Olfa rulers are hanging together - the squares and the rectangles on separate hooks, and my June Tailor Shape-Cut rulers, which are quite delicate, are on another.  It is the perfect way to store these items and I'm so happy with the way the storage solution turned out.  I haven't removed one of the Command hooks but I assume I won't have any trouble if I need to...since I "saved the instructions for easy removal"!

Fabric Storage

Once I became interested in quilting I began hearing a lot about people's fabric stashes!  I didn't really understand how these crafters could accumulate so many scraps, let alone full yards of fabric.  Now that I've got a few quilts under my belt...I totally get it!  Not only are there always leftover bits and pieces from each project, but the impulse to purchase gorgeous, soft, lovely patterned cottons is a challenge to control every time I visit the quilt shop!  There is an endless array of luxurious textiles to choose from and a few fat quarters or yards always invariably end up at home.

So the next problem is how to store all those treasures.  I only have a small stash so far so I picked up this plastic, rolling drawer set.  I have flannels in the bottom level, heavier cottons and batting in the middle and quilting cottons and fat quarters in the top.  I'm sure this size will be outgrown before long and I admit that I have several bags of scraps and batting tucked away in the back of a cupboard.  My plan is to one day have a bank of built-ins, in the same design, material, and finish as I have already, along the far wall.  I'll keep that unit for all things quilting - rulers, fabric, iron, threads, etc....I just have to wait for my daughter to get her piano outta there first!

Craft Room Tour

As promised, here is the video tour of my new workshop space.  I haven't finished decorating yet and there may be things I eventually move around, but for the most part I'm moved in.

I'm always interested in how others store all their craft supplies so I show you how I've organized mine.  I tried to keep a scrapbooking section and a stamping section so that the items which belong to each are readily at hand.  Of course, there are some cross-over tools and supplies but it's not like I have to go very far to get them when I need to!

It's funny to me to think the whole project grew out of this little pencil sketch I drew one night while watching the old console t.v. I used to have in the room...I was frustrated by the storage and work space I had so I just doodled what my dream workshop might look like.  I am very happy with the way it turned into reality and it is such a pleasure to now have a beautiful and functional craft room!  It's a holiday today in Canada so I'm planning on spending a good part of my day in the workshop!

Enjoy the tour!

New Workshop!!

 
The reason I have not been able to scrapbook or craft for a while is...all my stuff has been packed up in boxes in preparation for my new workshop to be built.  It has been a long-time dream of mine to renovate my scrap room so that I could have adequate storage for all my craft items and a well-planned, efficient work space.  I made do for years with folding tables and various storage containers, but I was never happy with the way it looked and couldn't stand the mish-mash of shelves, bins, cubbies, dangling wires, etc.  Not to mention I had to use most of the table-tops to hold everything, which left little actual work surface.  After realizing I have been scrapbooking/crafting for over ten years, and with my interest and creativity showing no signs of waning, I decided to take the plunge and invest in my hobby with a dedicated, custom-built workshop.

After painting the room a beautiful soft green, I started the reno with a rip-out of the old carpeting and installation of new flooring.  It looks beautiful and will be so easy to sweep up after a crafting session!  Next up was the designing of built-in cabinets and work surfaces.  This took several meetings and many e-mails with the custom cabinetry company.  I had definite ideas, sketches, photos, and specifications to begin with so all I really needed was someone to plug in the dimensions and construct what I wanted.  There were many revisions and fine-tuning, then decisions on doors, fixtures, handles, countertop, edges, molding, etc.  Once the plan and measurements were finalized I had to endure two months of waiting for the installation date to arrive!

With no work space and almost all my tools and supplies boxed up, it was nearly impossible to get any crafting done and when I did attempt it, I just couldn't find the energy to work amongst the chaos.  Now that the cabinets are in and I have almost finished unpacking, I am very excited to get going and make something in my new workshop.  I discovered that a) I have way too much stuff, and b) I love organizing it all!  I have not yet completed my 'move in', and unfortunately there were some hiccoughs with my install: 2 cabinet doors, 2 drawer fronts, and a shelf are missing...and...I designed a rolling island cabinet which will tuck under my work table when not in use.  It turned out too be too tall to fit under the counter (builder's error, not mine nor the designer's).  So those little things need to be fixed before I can finalize the organization of the room...but I'm almost there.

The photo above is from installation day and shows the room up to the point of the electrician arriving.  I am very excited to show you the finished workshop and plan on a video tour when it's all neat and tidy...and I have all the cabinet doors!  Thanks for dropping by for a sneak peek...and I am sure I can get a few scrapbook pages and cards done in the meantime so I can share them next week.

Flocked Hangers

 I'm so excited...by hangers!  I believe I first saw these flocked hangers on the Nate Berkus show and thought they were pretty nice, but didn't think anything more about them.  Then I saw two sets of them at the local 'marked-down' store - but they were pink and purple and there were only 14 hangers in total - not enough for our closet!

Then, in that funny way fate has of working, I was flipping through the tv stations a day or two later while waiting for my friend to come over, and there on the shopping channel was the 'show stopper' set of flocked hangers.  The set included about 115 pieces: suit hangers, regular hangers, clips, scented shoe shapers, and a square, cloth closet organizer drawer...all that for only $67!  The per hanger cost was even cheaper than the ones I'd seen at the discount store...and there were enough hangers for our stuff...and you could pick your colour.  I'm probably the furthest thing from an impulse shopper - I like to research, price compare, Google, and stew...but I knew this was a good deal.

I had a nice afternoon revamping our closets and converting to the new hangers.  "They" are so right when they say you can feel good starting with just one drawer or closet when it comes to organizing.  I ended up purging about 7 bags of stuff (sorry, DH) and the amount of hangers in the set are now my new standard for continued neatness.  If something new comes in, something old must go...because an ugly, thick plastic hanger shall never hang in that closet again!  What a difference!  I wanted to pull people in off the street to look at my neat and tidy closet.  DH was not as excited as I was, maybe because it was his stuff in the give-away bags...I really need to get in his side of the closet more often! lol!

Milk Bag Organizer

One of the earliest posts I wrote on this blog was about cleaning and organizing my fridge.  (You can read it here.)  I recently read that one of my favourite actors, Will Arnett, is a bit compulsive about his own refrigerator and likes to keep it neat and tidy.  He is responsible for putting away the groceries and he is adamant about keeping small items on small shelves and tall items on the big ones.  This endeared him even more to me like you wouldn't believe!  (Watch a clip of Will on Jimmy Fallon demonstrating his ability to put even more food in an already-full fridge!)

One inexpensive organizing gadget I love is the plastic milk bag holder.  (My kids tell me that only Canadians use bag milk.  Can this be true?)  It holds 4 litres of milk (3 bags) and 'dispenses' them through a cut-out at the bottom.  This allows you to keep the milk bags in a vertical space so they don't take up valuable shelf space in the fridge.  There is even a little notch where you can put the tag closure (which has the expiration date on it) so you can keep tabs on the milk's freshness.  (This is not a problem for us since we go through a lot of milk - we drink it all up in the week before I go shopping again).  If you use bag milk - no matter where you live - I highly recommend one or two of these organizers to keep those slippery bags in line.

Craft Powder Tray

I've really found this plastic craft powder tray to be very handy when dealing with various glitters and powders in my craft room.

This is a medium-sized tray and is ideal for the small amounts of powder I usually use.  It is perfect to catch the excess glitter or embossing powder sprinkled over a project and the funnel mouth at the end allows you to pour the remaining product back into the original container.  It works very well and saves money and mess!

I picked up my tray at the dollar store but I know Stampin' Up carries a set of them, a huge one and a medium one, plus a brush for dusting off projects and left-overs, and I'm sure the big-chain craft stores stock them as well.

This is one of those little gadgets that's nice to have and simple to use.  Of course, you can always use a piece of copy paper as well, creating a fold in the centre to use as a funnel, but I just like having this convenient, and very affordable, tool on hand.

Clear Vue Shoe Boxes

I recently picked up these really cool Clear Vue Shoe Boxes and I love them so much I thought I would share them with you.

They come in a package of 4 (I paid $7.99) and each is made of one piece of sturdy plastic -the ends tuck in to seal the box.  There are vent holes along the sides and they hold most shoes standing upright, but I also got higher heeled shoes in sideways (the way they'd come in a regular shoe box).

I was cleaning out my closet for winter and was trying on all my shoes: getting rid of the out-of-style ones (am I really going to ever wear those wooden clogs?), the ones that don't fit (for some reason I had shoes ranging in all sizes from 7-9...and I take a 7), and, even though I had most of them neatly stacked in their original shoe boxes, labelled, it was still awkward to know what I had at a glance, find the ones I wanted, and the boxes were all various sizes - some with broken lids at the corners, which I hate!

Then while I was out I saw these boxes (made by Whitmor) and I picked up two packages.  Once I got them home, assembled and stacked, I realized I should have got the other pack (sadly, there were only the 3 packs in the store) so they would stack evenly and house most of my dress shoes.  Fortunately, when I went back the next day the remaining pack was still there!  It makes me very happy to find a great, inexpensive organizing tool that works well.  I am hardly Imelda Marcos but taking the time to inventory my closet once or twice a year is well worth the effort.  I even found a pair of pants I'd forgotten I had!

Spice Cupboard

A couple of times a year I like to clean and organize my spice rack.  I'm fortunate to have a drawer right beside my stove and prep area where I can house all my spice and herb jars.  It has a customized plastic insert in it with multiple levels to keep the containers on an angle.

I also have a cupboard right above the drawer where I keep my Tupperware spice containers of more frequently used spices, such as cinnamon, Italian herbs, and chili powder.  I also keep my mortar and pestle here, along with a large plastic container of refill packages.  The spices and herbs I use the most get replenished more often so I buy the larger bags from the grocery store.  There are so many different spices that are only used on occasion and I prefer to buy these, as well as the more expensive varieties like mace and nutmeg, from the bulk store.  I can pick up small amounts of these and replenish them as needed.  This ensures they will be fresh and ready to use.

When I clean out the drawer and cupboard, I remove all the containers, wipe down the surfaces, and refill any low or empty jars.  I also take stock, adding those which are getting low and have no refills to my shopping list.  I also discard any older or no longer fragrant herbs and spices and note those to my list as well.

When my daughter left for university, and was deciding what to take to her new kitchen, I realized how many different ingredients I cook and bake with, and how expensive it would be to purchase them all at once.  A good spice cabinet or rack takes a few years to stock.  Because most spices and herbs should be replaced after a year, or when they no longer have a nice aroma, it's best to just buy small amounts that will be used in that time period.  For the novice cook just starting out, the basics include oregano, basil, thyme, chili powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, paprika, pepper, and rosemary.  More exotic and lesser-used spices and herbs can be added gradually.  Good quality ingredients make all the difference in a recipe, and the herbs and spices used can turn a bland dish into a complex taste experience...having those readily at hand makes it so much easier!